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Karnataka Elections: BJP Releases Manifesto Focused on Farmers

The BJP released its manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly elections on Friday, 4 March, attempting to reach out to farmers. The manifesto promised an allocation of Rs 1.5 lakh crore for irrigation projects and waiver of farm loan up to Rs 1 lakh borrowed from nationalised and cooperative banks.

The manifesto, unveiled by BJP state unit president and the party's chief ministerial candidate, BS Yeddyurappa also said if voted to power, it would bring out a 'white paper' on the financial health of the state under the Congress rule.

Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, Yedyurappa said:

The welfare of farmers has always been our priority. We will allocate Rs 1,50,000 crore for various irrigation projects in Karnataka and ensure water reaches every field in the state.

BS Yeddyurappa

Yeddyurappa was accompanied by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar and other senior party leaders at the launch.

A scheme to provide Rs 25,000 and three grams of gold for brides coming under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category during the marriage and opening of "Annapoorna Canteens" has also been promised, reported PTI.

"Go Seva Ayog" aimed at cow protection would also be revived, the party said.

BJP MP and state leader Shobha Karandlaje said the manifesto was a "vision document" which reflected the people's aspirations and expectations.

She said over three lakh people along with experts had been consulted in preparing the manifesto.

The manifesto was released after paying homage to sitting party MLA and its candidate for Jayanagar constituency BN Vijaykumar, who died of a massive heart attack at a hospital in Bengaluru on Friday.

The 224-seat Assembly in Karnataka is scheduled to go to polls on 12 May, and the counting will be held on 15 May.

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